Illness forces Davis to leave Olentangy

Monday, March 31, 2008

By CANDACE PRESTON-COY
ThisWeek Staff Writer


Ten months after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, Olentangy Schools Superintendent Scott Davis is stepping down from his position on April 11.

The disease is slowing him down and he cannot operate at the pace he is used to, the 36-year-old Davis told ThisWeek in an exclusive interview.

"I can do the job, but minimally. I never do anything minimally," he said. "For me to choose to stay any longer would narrow the window the board has to do a search. I do not want to leave mid-year and to stay any longer would only be selfish and I don't want to be selfish."

Davis was hired as Olentangy's superintendent in May 2006. One year later, he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The disease attacks motor nerve cells, eventually leading to paralysis and death.

The Olentangy board of education will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to form a search committee, led by board vice president Dimon McFerson, said board president Scott Galloway.

The board, Davis said, "has been very gracious and was supporting me in whatever my decision was, including trying to make accommodations so I could stay on. As much as I appreciate that, the community deserves more than I am able to give right now."

Davis informed his administrative staff of his decision to step down in an e-mail on Sunday, and told the rest of the district staff via e-mail on Monday morning as they returned from spring break.

In the staff e-mail he wrote, "Although I remain resolute in my firm belief that I will be delivered from this illness, the fact is I simply cannot devote the time and energy that all of you and the community deserve ...

"Being the superintendent of Olentangy has been one of the great joys of my life. I am inspired every day by the work all of you do and the support that is overwhelming from our community. Olentangy is indeed an extremely special place that I have been blessed to lead for the last two years."

He said he is appreciative of his staff, particularly those closest to him, for all they have undertaken in the past year to lighten his load.

"My staff has been an inspiration to me. ... They are the ones who run the school district on a day-to-day basis. Not me."

For the first year of his illness, Davis was not on any medication specific to the disease, he said. On March 22, he began a drug regimen of an anti-depressant and Rilutek that, when combined, have been shown in a study in Italy to have a "stabilizing effect" for those afflicted with ALS, he said. "Although I believe the Lord will ultimately deliver me from the illness completely, right now stabilization sounds pretty good. Thus far I have had no adverse side effects (to the drugs)," he said.

"The mornings are worse than any other time of day," he said. "Getting ready in the morning is simply exhausting. Everything from shaving to getting dressed. It zaps my energy. ... By the end of the day I am rejuvenated and ready to go."

While he did say the recent campaign to pass a combined bond issue and operating levy tired him, "It was also exhilarating. Again, I love the work. It's been a passion for 10 years. So what stresses most people excites me."

If it had failed, his decision to leave might have been different.

"I would have stayed on to implement reductions and talk to the board about how we can minimize the damage that would have been done," he said.

Galloway talked about Davis' imminent departure and of his accomplishments in his two years as district leader.

"Dr. Davis' leadership has served our students, district and community well. He provided steady leadership, achieved excellent results and was an inspiration to us all. He will be sorely missed," Galloway said.

"During his time with the district, Dr. Davis has achieved extraordinary results by pushing for higher academic standards, leading the district in a prudent financial manner and putting an organizational structure in place that will allow us to support future growth. His leadership and achievements will continue to benefit the students, the district and our community for many years to come."

Davis' abilities extend out of the administrative offices into classrooms, Galloway said.

"His talent and natural ability to inspire students, educators and members of our community to reach for greater heights is rare in our society today. This, in combination with a prudent leadership style, was what made him the right person to lead the district.

"He embodied the spirit of Olentangy and everything that makes it a great place to learn, live and raise a family. Through his good work, the district has a brighter future."

In July 2007 Davis renegotiated his contract with the board to include provisions for him and his family when the time came to apply for disability retirement because of his illness.

Under the terms of the contract, Davis would be considered on a long-term leave of absence for the first five years of his disability retirement.

The changes provide that he or his beneficiary would receive any performance compensation due him. That will be prorated for the time he served as superintendent in the year that the disability retirement begins. Within seven days of his filing for disability retirement through the State Teachers Retirement System, the board will pay Davis his accrued and unused sick, vacation and personal leave.

The revised contract also makes provisions for his and his family's insurance coverage.

And, because Davis waived his rights to reinstatement if he is no longer considered disabled, he will receive $5,000 a month in supplemental disability income from the district for up to 54 months. If he dies before the 54 months are over, the board will continue to pay that amount to his spouse for 12 months or through the 54th month, whichever occurs first.

The next two weeks will be a "whirlwind," Davis said, as he wraps up his work for the district including negotiating a new teachers' contract and revamping the continuous improvement plan process. He also wants to set aside some time to say goodbye to staff and community members he has worked closely with during his nearly two years with the district. His mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and he plans to spend time with her as well.

He, his wife Angela, and their two daughters plan to stay in the district.

"I hope to continue to be involved in activities that benefit our community and our state. Whatever I can do to remain an active member of our community I'll do. I'm sure that will involve volunteer work and being involved with our church," he said.

His most immediate need, he told his administrative staff, is to find a "good used golf cart" so he can chase his daughters around the neighborhood as they ride their bikes.

"We look forward to seeing Scott, Angela and their daughters at school and community events for many years to come. They will all be in our thoughts and prayers," Galloway said.

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